Muslims who assimilate are better off than those who maintain their traditions and culture - Essay Example

Islam is more tolerant and accepting than Western World ideologies! Even though most of the other religions dilute their beliefs, traditions and customs for the sake of advancements in human life, Islam never bothered much in reforming their fundamental beliefs and traditions. Western world often criticizes Islam as a patriarchal community for its failure to adapt with the developments in human life. However, Islamic scholars believe that Islam is more tolerant and accepting than Western World ideologies.

This paper analyses the above claims based on the Time Magazine article, "Many Faces of Islam", written by Jeff Chu. The general belief among Islamic scholars is that "all men are not created equal, and democracy eventually lets the fortunate over-run the less fortunate. The idea of a caliphate is only now beginning to take hold in the Arab world. Europe won't come around until our example is there to follow "(Chu). Democracy in its present form is unacceptable to Islam. Islamic world believe that the efforts of Europeans to spread democracy across Arab world is an attempt to destroy Islamic culture and traditions.

The agitations happening at present in Libya, Yemen, Syria, Bahrain, Oman, etc like Arab countries are perceived as the deliberate attempt by the Western World to topple Islamic administrations prevailing in those countries. It should be noted that these agitations were originated not because of the interferences of any other Western country, but because of the self-realization of people about their present pathetic conditions compared that in other countries. In fact the recent successful revolution in Egypt and the marginalization of people by the patriarchal administrations motivated the people in other Arab countries to fight against the fundamental Islamic administrations.

“In the social realm, Shari'a is more restrictive than Western norms and lifestyles. Islam believes that Women are to be admired, not used for cigarette advertisements" (Chu). At the same time “Koran says girls must stay home and that it is right to beat women if they disobey their husbands” (Chu). The above two principles are quiet contrasting. It is a fact that the objectification and commodification of women is condemned by Islam. Marginalization of women as a specific community will never help Islam to provide equal justice to males and females.

The assimilation of Muslim women to the main streams of social life is necessary to stop male domination over females. It should be noted that in Saudi Arabia like Muslim countries, Muslim women forced to cover their entire body while going out of their home. Moreover, they do not have the right to drive vehicles or engage in social activities just like their male counterparts. It should be noted that in most of the other societies, women community is assimilated into social life. Freedom of expression is accepted as a human right in Western countries.

On the other hand, in Islamic countries, it is difficult for the public to say anything about the administration. In other words, dictatorship is prevailing in Islamic countries. To conclude, it is difficult to believe that Islam is more tolerant and accepting than Western World ideologies, when we consider the general living conditions of people in Islamic countries. Works Cited 1. Chu, Jeff. “Many Faces of Islam”. Time CNN Sunday, Dec. 08, 2002 Web. 27 May 2011. http://www.time.com/time/magazine/article/0,9171,397459,00.html